Microwaves are two to three times faster than conventional ranges when it comes to cooking, reheating and defrosting foods.
"Of the 22 countertop models that we tested, our high end favorite was the GE Profile Spacemaker II. It has sensors which measure the humidity that's given off by food, adjusts the cooking time and give precise results," said Sharon Franke of Good Housekeeping.
It retails for $269.
Other microwaves getting the thumbs up include the Cuisinart Stainless Steel which sells for $149. The $110 Sharp Carousel is great at baking potatoes and defrosting.
"You can't beat the price of the Sanyo. It's under $100 and performs beautifully," said Franke.
